Meghan Markle Makes Brand Expansion Move Following 'Self-Doubt' Revelation

Meghan Markle is calling in serious reinforcements as she ramps up her business endeavours.

The Duchess of Sussex has tapped Sarah Fosmo, a former top exec in Bill Gates' space, as her first-ever chief of staff to help drive her growing business empire forward. 

Earlier in the month, Meghan Markle opened up about wrestling with self-doubt and learning how to lead while launching her lifestyle brand, As Ever, on her podcast.

Meghan Markle's latest hire marks a new chapter in her growing portfolio, which already includes her Netflix show "With Love, Meghan" and podcast "Confessions of a Female Founder." 

Fosmo's résumé highlights her ability to handle high-pressure operations and maintain strict confidentiality, something that likely appealed to the high-profile royal.

The new hire signals a shift in how Meghan is managing her growing businesses, all of which launched over the last several months. Fosmo will now help steer what reports have described as a "dynamic period of growth" for Meghan.

Page Six reported that the former Microsoft exec had worked in Bill Gates' office as deputy director of executive administration until late 2024. Meanwhile, Lianne Cashin is staying on as head of operations for Meghan and Prince Harry's Archewell foundation, a role she has held for nearly four years.

Meghan's recent hire followed a candid admission about self-doubt, which may have been the driving force behind bringing Fosmo on board.

The Blast reported that the 43-year-old shared her struggles with feelings of uncertainty, particularly in moments when she questioned if her brand could truly succeed. 

"I had a moment last week … I made a phone call, I said, 'Is this gonna work? Like, is this actually gonna work?' But I had that self-doubt," she recalled during an episode of her podcast. 

Meghan also shared that constant public scrutiny did not shield her from doubt, emphasizing the pressure she felt to lead her team with confidence. "You can't bring self-doubt to your team that's junior to you. They have to believe in what you're creating and the vision and how you hold the line," she noted.

Though she acknowledged that leadership often requires projecting confidence, Meghan stressed how crucial it is to have someone to lean on for support and perspective. In her words:

"You still have to be able to have someone you can go to to be human and say, 'I don't know. Can you just tell me that this makes sense?'"

Meghan recalled turning to a team member in one of those moments. "Thankfully, my partner said, 'Are you joking? We're so energized, this is amazing!'" she said, adding that self-doubt can hit anyone, regardless of status or public status.

She also pointed out the double-edged sword of having a public platform. "Whatever I put out in the world will have so much attention. I go, yeah. And there's a flip side to that coin, which we know. It's a microscope that a lot of people don't have to experience," she explained. 

Meghan did not hold back when discussing the emotional toll that comes with being an entrepreneur.

While hosting Hannah Mendoza, co-founder of Clevr Blends, on her "Confessions of a Female Founder" podcast, the U.S.-based royal shared how challenging it can be to lead a company while dealing with personal struggles.

She revealed that there are days when she does not feel like her "best and shiniest self." She explained that tough personal moments can arise, but as a leader, it is essential to separate those feelings from how you present yourself to your team.

"Maybe on that day, something really painful happened in your real life. But for your team, that is not how you show up. You can't," Meghan said. 

She also stressed the importance of connecting with fellow women founders during tough times, describing them as "the safety of stream of consciousness with someone who understands it."

Meghan has made her mark as a rising entrepreneur, diversifying her career beyond her lifestyle brand with several creative ventures.

In March, she launched her much-anticipated Netflix series, "With Love, Meghan." A month later, she took another big step with her podcast, "Confessions of a Female Founder."

On it, she has already had inspiring conversations with industry leaders like Bumble's Whitney Wolfe Herd and IT Cosmetics' Jamie Kern Lima.

Not stopping there, Meghan recently joined Jamie Kern Lima's podcast, reflecting on her life with Prince Harry. She shared nostalgic memories of their early days together, when they used to protect their relationship by calling each other "H" and "M."

Meghan Markle's latest move highlights her commitment to building a successful business empire despite personal challenges.